MANCHESTER City have been dealt a huge injury blow on the eve of the new season after Sylvain Distin was ruled out unitl September with a muscle tear.

The skipper tore his abductor muscle in training, and will miss the first month of the season - the latest in a series of injury problems to hit Stuart Pearce's squad and one which leaves the Blues boss with a serious defensive crisis.

Distin's usual partner Richard Dunne has already been ruled out for up to three months as a legacy of the foot injury he sustained in the aftermath of Joey Barton's infamous Bangkok bar brawl.

Pearce was forced to field David Sommeil - who has not started a Premiership game since January 2004 - and teenager Nedum Onuoha - himself just back from a hamstring problem which has ruled him out of City's entire pre-season programme so far - in their final friendly with Olympiacos at Eastlands.

However, it seems certain Pearce will attempt to bring in reinforcements ahead of next weekend's Premiership opener against West Brom, hoping to meet more luck than he enjoyed this week with his failed bid to lure Steed Malbranque from Fulham in a £5million move.

It is understood family commitments were the chief reason behind Malbranque's decision to stay at Craven Cottage, his decision firm enough for City to declare they are no longer interested in him.

Another notable absentee from the City squad this afternoon was Welsh full-back Ben Thatcher, while striker Robbie Fowler has also been ruled out of next Saturday's encounter with the Baggies as he begins a slow recovery from a back injury.

How big a blow is Distin's injury for City? Should Pearce buy a new defender now? Have your say.